Inexpensive Trainer request
 

I am looking for an inexpensive trainer, must be Clyde friendly, easy to set up for multiple bikes, work reasonably well, and available in Canada. An experienced (read used) trainer is okay, as long as it isn't worn out already..... Total Budget is under $200..... I found one on CL for $100, and sent an inquiry.... What do I need to check on one of these things, to tell if it's worn out or not....

After this past summer, when I have been debating about trading the bicycle for a boat, and ending up with just over half the distance I had last year, I started thinking trainer. My much better half would also like to get some distance in over the winter. This is why a trainer as opposed to rollers....

My thinking is this: Currently I take from November to Mid April off, if the weather is good, April usually isn't, I am ready for some nice distance rides in about 3 months, so mid to late July. That leaves August, September, October for nice riding, by mid October we start losing the light, as sunset is around 6:30, and the weather starts getting much cooler..... Now, I need to do some major work on the bike this year, so I will need about 4 weeks off anyway to complete that. However if I can start training February 1st, instead of May 1st, then I can add 2 full months to the nice riding season. If it gets crappy like this year, then just throw the bike on the trainer in the garage, and ride anyway.:D

I'll PM you. I have one I am looking to get rid off. Might be a killer on shipping to Canada though.

How about a roller trainer? I don't like the trainers that lock onto your rear skewer because I have the kind with a flat lever and I don't wanna break it in the clamp. It took me about a week to get comfortable on the rollers but it really simulates actual riding better.

http://www.bikyle.com/images/EliteParbolicRoller.jpg

Here's an instructional video on how to train on rollers:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wME5NTriTco

Here's another video tutorial:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MiCdm5FsJpg

I use this one, cheap but works great.

http://www.amazon.com/Bell-Motivator...0492527&sr=8-1

I had one like that that worked excellent.

However, I had to get the correct size phone book for the front wheel so it didn't feel like I wasgoing down hill all the time. :D

I also recomend rollers. I bought a set from Performance last year for under $100.

The trainer I bought, a Kurt Kinetic Road Machine, came with a skewer designed to fit the trainer. Replacing the stock skewer with the trainer skewer takes about 10 seconds. Unfortunately, Wogsterca, trainers don't really have much in common with bicycling. I'm tempted to sell mine after less than 100mi of usage...

I bought an inexpensive Ascent magnetic trainer (don't know the model but it's the red one) and have about 700 miles on it. It's noisy and gets really hot but seems to work just fine. As I recall it was on sale from Nashbar for about $80.

sstorkey is right, riding a trainer is nothing like riding your bike in the wild. I keep mine on the harddest setting and it feels similar to riding up a slight incline as you have to constantly pedal against it, no ride and glide. Good workout though, 15 miles on my trainer is a better workout IMHO than 15 miles on the street.

I would also recommend rollers.

I bought mine for $50.00 off of craigslist.

Well my other half will use it sometimes as well, and I think with rollers the chance of dumping it is too great, however I think, IIRC that her bike has a solid axle rear wheel, so that might quash that idea, unless I swap the hub on her rear wheel.....

I would still purchase a used one, as many never get any use. Have a great search using craigslist, if you have one for your area. I drove 60 miles to get mine.